title: Laparoscopic colorectal surgery for diverticular disease is not suitable for the early part of the learning curve. A retrospective cohort study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We evaluate the challenges of laparoscopic colorectal surgery for diverticular disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective study of elective laparoscopic colorectal procedures (LCP) performed 2002-2011. The study compares LCP for Diverticular disease (S group) with both LCP for other pathology (C1 group) and open procedures for diverticular disease (C2 group). Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher's exact test, Student "t" test and Mann Whitney U-test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study included 194 LCP out of which 22 were in S group. Conversion rate in S group was 27.3% vs 9.9% in C1 group, p = 0.017. The mean operating time was significantly higher in S group (250 min) compared with 196 min in C1 group, p = 0.0004. The median length of hospital stay was 6 days in S group and 4 days in C group, p = 0.12. Both morbidities and mortality rates were not statistically different between the two groups. In the second part of the study we compare LCP with OCP performed for diverticular disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LCP for Diverticular disease are technically challenging and should be attempted later in the learning curve.
authors.affiliation: Prince Charles Hospital, Merthyr Tydfil, United Kingdom. Electronic address: nadernaguib71@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Nader
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Naguib
authors.forename: Ashraf G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Masoud
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D004239:Diverticulitis, Colonic / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009017:Morbidity; D061646:Operative Time; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection
keywords: Colorectal surgery; Diverticular disease; Laparoscopic; Learning curve